One can never be sure about the maker’s
mark “IB”. I have ascribed these tongs to John Blake because he is the most
likely maker of this date.

John Blake registered
his first mark on 5th September 1788 as a small-worker. He
registered other marks up to 1803 and was the father of John William Blake
and husband to Sarah Blake, who registered a mark together on 15th
June 1809, presumably on John’s death. He was therefore a known maker of
sugar tongs.